Sherpa - w. ridge

[Roger]

Has anyone done the Sherpa Peak west ridge car-to-car in a day? For what it's worth, Smoot says 8-10 hours to summit from trailhead... Basically, we're deciding between a long day with light packs on saturday (and casual drive back to portland sunday), or hiking in with overnight gear on saturday followed by the full day of climbing and driving on sunday. Thanks for any observations.

[Jens]

Yes, my partner and I did it car to car last fall.

Since the route is pretty short but the approach is fairly long, it will come down to how fast of a hiker you are rather than how good of a climber you are.

 

If you go, make SURE you do the balanced rock. It is the best part of the whole climb. Many parties go in and climb the west ridge and skip the balanced rock and then never going back to do Sherpa again.

 

My buddy has a trip report and pictures at:

www.cascadeclimber.com (go to the chronological index)

[Alex]

I tried this with overnight gear in 1998(?? I dont remember actually) and it wasnt a good experience...too long of an approach for too short a climb for overnight gear. Campsites are not that easy to find and the whole thing just turns into a grind

 

Do it in a day. The approach is long but casual from Esmerelda Basin. The approach is longer and not casual, but more rewarding, via Sherpa or Ice Cliff Glacier.

 

There is still snow in Cascadian, providing water up high and sometimes hastening the trip down.

 

Cheers, Alex

[Cpt.Caveman]

Never done it but if I go I am gonna do that damn balanced rock.

[Roger]

Thanks for the info and link - nice pics.